Clutch mechanism



July 19, 1932- E. L. ACKERMAN ET AL 1,867,543

CLUTCH MECHANI SM I 2 sheets-sheet 1 Filed Jul'y 21B; 1930 July 19, 1932 E. L. AcKl-:RMAN ET Al. 1,867,643

CLUTCH MECHANISM Filed July 28, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 A TTORNE Y.

Patented July 19, 1932 Uim'rao STATES inertia 'PATENT orifice EDWARD L. ACKERMAN AND ALG-IS J. ZWIERZINA, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, AiSSIGrN'OEtS TO ACKERMAN-BLAESSER-F-EZZEY, INC., OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, A CORPORATION OF MICHIGAN Application filed July 2s,

This invention relates to clutch mechanism and the object of the invention is to provide a clutch mechanism for use with a gear driven wind-ow regulator whereby the 5 drive gear locked from movement in either direction upon release of the crank for turning the gear.

Another object of the invention is to pro-A v-ide clutch means for locking the drive gear 1C from turning in either direction and arranged so that the clutches are released byv rotation of the crank in either direction.

A further object of the invention is to provide a driving gear for a window regu- 15 lator adapted to be so held that there is no possibility of movement of the `driving gear, thus eliminating back lash of the` window regulator mechanism when going over rough im A further `object of the invention is to provide a double 'clutch mechanism, one of which is adapted to bevre'lease'd by primary rotationof the crank `and the 'otherof which is adapted toi-be released upon rotation of 9* the Adrive gear byrotati'on of the crank.

'These objects-and the several novel features of the-invention arehereinafter more fully described and claimed and the preferred form of construction by which these n' objects are attained is shown in the'. accompanying drawings in which-nv Fig. 1 is an elevation of the door of a closed automobile body showing the window regulator Vin dotted lines. v U5 Fig. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal section through the drive gear and clutch mechanism..

Fig; ,3 is a side elevation of the drive gear.

Fig. 4 is an end view thereof.

Fig. 5 is a section taken on line' 5%-5 of F ig. 2 and showing the parts in their properV relation by dotted lines.

Fig. 6 is a similar section taken on line 6 6 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 7 is ay sectional perspective of the end of the drive shaft.

In the usual window regula-tor Vconstruction, a plate 1, shown in` Figs. 1, 2 and 6 is usually provided on which the regulator iSVV CLUTCH MECHANISM 1930. Serial No. 471,375.

mounted. As shown in Fig. 2, lthe plate 1 is provided with an aperture Vto receive the lower half 2 of the housing for the clutch mechanism. The upper half Sfof this housing is Vprovided with a flange 4 and rivets 5 extend through the two halves of the housing and through the supporting plate 1 as shown. The flange 4, as shown in Fig. 5,'is provided with a raised portion 6 through which the edge of one of the gears of the regulator may extend into meshk with the drive gear. The drive gear 7` is provided with a hub 8 on one side thereof and with ahub 9 on the opposite side thereof, both hubs beingformed integrally with the said gear.

The hubs 8 and 9`are provided with a central opening therethrough, as shown in Fig. 4, and 'this opening is shaped to form shoulders 10, 11, 12 and 13 extending longitudinally of the axis of the gear. As will be noted from Fig. 3, the hub 9 is provided .with a slot 14, While the hub 8 is provided with a similar slot 15. A notch 16, shown in Figs.

3 and 4, is cut into the end of the hub 9 diametric'ally oppoiste the slot 14 and a similar 75j notch 17 is cut into the hub "8 diametrically opposite the slot 15. The gear 7,-as shown in these figures, is provided' with" an integral back plate 37, las shown in Figs-2,

3 and 4,5w'hich extends over the edge of the teeth ofthe window regulator gear which meshes with the gear 7 and prevents the t'wov gears from coming out `of mesh. A coiled spring 18 is provided about the gear hub l9 and normally expands into frictional engagement with the inner Vwall of the housing 3, as shown in Fig. 2, and this spring 1 8 is provided with an 'inturned'end 19, shown in Fig.

5, which extends into the slot 14 in the gear hub 9, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2. or

The opposite end 2O of the spring 18 extends kinto the notch 16 in the gear hub 9 as shown in Fig. 5. The shaft 21` for'thed'evice is shown more particularly in Fig. 2 and-is provided with anend 22 to which a. crank may be attached for rotating the shaft.

The portion of the shaft Within the housings 2V and 3 is formed to provide a member 23, shown in Figs. 5 and 6, having a shoulder 24 adapted to engage the shoulder 13 in the 'ICU LLTI gear hub and at the opposite end is formed to provide a shoulder 25 adapted to engage the shoulder 10 of the gear hub and this member is also provided with a face 26'extending longitudinally of the shaft as shown in Figs. 6 and 7. rlhe shaft 21 is also formed to provide a member 27 which is similar to the member 23 and is provided with a shoulder 28 adapted to engage the shoulder 12 of the gear hub and a shoulder 29`is formed thereon adapted to engage against the shoulder 11 of the gear hub and this member 27 is also provided with a face 3() extending longitudi nally of the shaft, as shown in Figs. 6 and 7. A second coiled spring31 is provided, as shown in Figs. 2 and` 6, and normally er;- pands Yinto frictional engagement with the inner face of the housing 2 and extends about the gear hub 8. This coiledspring 31 is provided with an inturned end 32 engaging in the slot 15 of the 'gear hub 8 and the opposite end 33 thereof is inturned into the notch 17 of the gearhub In the position shown in Fig. 5 both springs 18 and 31 are expandedinto engagement with the respective housingwalls which holds the springs stat-ionary and the ends 19 and 32 of the springs 18 and 31 by their engagement in the slots 1li and 15 of the gear hubs prevents rotation of the gear and holds it stationary.

This will be understood more particularly from Fig. 5 from which it will be seen `that counter-clockwise rotation of the gear 7 will press downwardly on the end 19 of the spring 18 tending to further expand the said spring into tighter engagement vwith the housing wall and thus prevent rotative movement of the. said gear in this direction. movement of the gear 7 in a clockwise direction tends to press upwardly on the end 32 of thespring 31thus tending to further ,erpand the spring 31 into tighter engagel ment with the housing wall and prevent rotative movement of the said gear in a clockwise direction. By this arrangement, the gear 7 isheld firmly from movement in a counter-cloclnvise orv clockwise direction by any gear meshing therewith and in order to operate the devicethese springs must be released fromengagement with the housing wall before the gear can befturned.

The release of these springs is accomplished by means Yof the members 23 and 27 on the crank shaft 21. Shonldthis shaft be turned in a clockwise direction, in Fig. 5, the face 26 of the member 23 is moved into Vengagement'with the end 33 of the spring 31 and movement of this member and shaft in a clockwise direction willmove the end of the spring therewith thus contracting the spring 31 out of frictional engagement with' the housing wall to release it.

Before the face 26 is `moved into engagement with the end 20 of the spring 18, the

Rotative shoulder 11 in the gear hub and the shoulder 28 on the member 27 engages the shoulder 12 in the gear hub and provides a positive contact for driving the gear hubs and gear. As these shoulders come into contact by movement of the shaft 21 in a clockwise direction the gear hub is turned in a clockwise direction tending to carry the end 19 of the spring 18 therewith and tending to contractL the spring 19 slightly to allow thegelar to turn with the shaft.

Upon counter-clockwise rotation of the shaft 21, the face 30 thereof engages the end 2O of the spring 18 and tends to contract this spring to release it from the housing Wall. As this releasing movement is continued, the shoulder 25` of the member `23 engages the shoulder 1() of the gear hub and the shoulder 2-1of the member 23 engages against the shoulder 13 of the gear hub before the face 30 has moved into contact with the end 33 of the spring 31. This provides a positive drive for the gear 7 in a counter-clockwise direction and tends to pick up the end 32 of the spring 31 to contract the said spring and allow the gear 7 to rotate with the crank shaft 21. Upon release of the crank both springs expand into normal contact with the housing and lock the gear 7 from rotation in either direction. Y

4By this arrangementthe drive gear 7 is firmly held to prevent backlash of the Window regulator mechanism when traveling over rough roads. The spring 18 has moresurface contact with the housing duel to its greater number-of coils as thisspring'prevents downward thrust of the-Window and the spring 31 hasv fewer coils as it prevents upward thrustof thewindow.

From the foregoing description it becomes evident that the device is very simple and ecient in operation, will not easily get out of order, is composed of few partsiand is of consequent low manufacturing cost and provides la device which accomplishes the objects described. I Y

Having thus fully described our invention, its'utility and mode of operation, what we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States isn 1. In a clutch mechanism, a housing, a drive gear rotatable therein and provided with hub portions extending each side .thereof, the said hub portions being provided with a central bore therethrough and having radial shoulders therein, a coiled spring on each siderof the gear positioned about the hub, each spring normally expanding into frictional engagement with the inner Wall of the housing, each hub being provided with a slot and each'spring being provided with an inturned end engaging in the respective slot, the free endof each spring being also provided with an inturned end and each hub @shoulder 29 on the member 27 engages the being provided with an elongated notch to r n L receive th-e said free inturned ends, a shaft rotatable Within said central bore and provided with shoulders adapted to engage the shoulders of the gear hubs t0 limit rotative movement of the shaft in relation to the gear,

the lsaid shaft being provided with longitudinal faces adapted upon turning of the shaft to engage the ends of the springs eX- tending into the notches of the hubs, the arrangement being such that the springs are released from frictional engagement with the housing upon engagement of the free inturned end by one of the longitudinal faces of the shaft.

2. In a. clutch mechanism, a housing, aV pair of coiled springs positioned in the housing in frictional engagement With the inner wall of the housing, a gear positioned in the housing and having hub portions on opposite sides provided With a. central aperture there through, the central aperture of the gear being provided with radial driving faces eX- tending longitudinally of the aperture, a shaft mounted in said aperture and having longitudinal driving faces adapted for en-v gagement With the driving faces in the aperture, the shaft being mounted for limited rotative movement in relation to the gear and the springs being anchored at one end to the i gear, the shaft being provided with a longil tudinal groove in the surface thereof andthe free ends of the coiled springs extending into the groove, the arrangement being such that primary rotative movement of the shaft in relation to the gear releases one of the springs from engagement with the housing and continued rotative movement thereof moves the drivingfaces of the shaft into Vengagement 1 with the driving faces ofthe gear.

- into engagement with the driving faces of the gear. the shaft beine mounted. for limited rotative movement in relati onto thefrear and each spring being anchored at one end to the gear`v the shaft beine' provided with a lonnitudinal groove in the surface thereof and the free end of each coiled spring extending into the groove, the arrangement being such that primary rotative movement of the shaft in relation to the gear releases one of the springs from engagement With the housing and continued rotative movement thereof moves the driving faces of the shaft into engagement chored to the with the driving faces of thegear and rotationof the gear by the shaft releasesthe other spring.

the housin i .4Q lna clutch mechanism, a housing, ai gear rotatable therein andhaving a central aperture, a shaftmounted' in the said aperture and havingl a `series of radialdriving faces eX- l springs being inturned into the said groove,

the arrangement being such that rotation of the shaft Vinl either directionv in relation to the gear firstl contracts one of the springs and then moves the driving faces of the shaft into engagement With the driving faces of the gear. A v i 1,

5. In a clutch mechanism, a housing, a gear rotatable therein and provided With hubportions on 4opposite sides thereof, said'h'ubtpor'- tions being provided With a-bore therethrough and" having radiall shoulders formed in the bore, a clutch spring anchored 'to each hub and normally expanding into frictional engagement With the housing Wall, a shaft eX-, tending through the bore ofthe hub and pro! vided With shoulders adaptedV to engagethe shoulders of the bore to limit rotative move` ment of the. shaft relative to the gear, the shaft being provided with longitudinal faces and the springsbeing provided with inturned ends adapted tobeengaged by said-longitudinalfahcesto contract the springs upon rotation of the shaft.-

6. l In a clutch mechanism, a housing, a pair of coiled springs positioned in the housingin frictional engagement with the wall of the housing, 'a' gear positioned in the housing, eachspring being anchored at one end to the gear, a shaft extending through the gear and adapted for limited 'rotative movement relative tothe gear, the shaft being provided with a groove into .which the free'end' of each springI extends, the arrangement being such' thatrrotation of the shaft in one direction in relation to the gear contracts one of the springs and'rota'tionl ofthe shaft in the opposite direction in relation tothe gear contracts the other of said springs.

los

7. Ina clutch mechanism, a housing, a gear l rotatable therein and having an opening therethrough, the inner face ofthe opening being shaped to provide a plurality of driving faces, a shaft extending through the opening and lhaving a plurality of companion driving faces adapted to be movedV into engagement with the driving faces of the gear, the shaft being adapted for limited rotation in relation to the gear, and a pair of coiled springs aninto frictional engagement with the housing, and means on the shaft for releasing the gear and normally expanding spring clutches by rotation of the shaft in either direction in relation to the gear.

A8. ln a clutchmechanism, a housing, a gear rotatable therein, a shaft extending through the gear, the gear and shaft' being provided with companion driving faces arranged to allow limited relative rotative movement be* tween the shaft and gear, a spring normally expanding into frictiona-l engagement with the housing for'holding the gear from rotation in thehousing in one direction, a second spring normally' expanding into frictional engagement with the housing for holding the gear from rotation in thevhousing'in the opposite direction, and means on the shaft for releasingeither spring upon rotation of the shaft in either direction in relation to the gear, either spring when released allowing the driving faces ofthe shaft to engage the driving faces of the gear. Y

, 9-v In a clutch mechanism, a housing, a gear rotatable i therein and having an opening therethrough, a. shaft extending through the opening and adapted for limited rotative movement in relation tothe gear, a pair of coiled springs anchored to the gear and normally expanding into-.frictional engagement with the inner wall of the housing, the shaft being providedfwith a pair of spaced radial faces and the free ends of the springs extending between said faces, the arrangement being such that rotation of the shaft in either direction releases the springs from frictional engagement with the housing.

l0. lIna clutch. mechanism, a stationary housing, al gear rotatable therein and provided with hubs on opposite sides, said hubs and gear having an opening therethrough provided with a plurality ofdrivingl faces, a shaft extending through the opening vand having a pluralityof. companion `driving facesl thereon, the shaft being'turnable relative to the gear, and a pairof spring clutches between the hubs and housing adapted to be respectively released by rotation of the shaft in either direction. In testimonywhereof we sign thisspecification. Y f

y EDVRD L. ACKERMAN. ,Artois JZWIERZINA. 

